Irish Confederate Heroes

As I had stated in one of my earlier posts not only am I a Southern Gentleman and Texan but also Irish. This is to my Heritage, my Ancestors that came from the Emerald Isle, fought, bleed, cried, and died for the Confederate States of America. Defending a sovereign nation, her freedom, liberty, and independence against an invading army in a War of Aggression!

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Politically Incorrect Facts

Confederate States Navy

Confederate States Navy Department Seal

So, you don’t think the Confederacy had much of a Navy, huh? Well you’d be sorely misinformed and mistaken. Let’s talk about that for a moment. These are the types of ships they had:

Ironclad steam-powered batteries, Ironclad floating batteries, Wooden floating batteries, Wooden cruisers, Ironclad cruisers, Gunboats, Torpedo boats, Government blockade runners, Government steamers, Government transports, Cutters, Hospital ships, Tenders and tugs, Privateers, Privateer submersible torpedo boats, Civilian steamers, Civilian transports, Civilian blockade runners, Foreign blockade runners, CSA cotton-clads, and Other CSA boats.

Now let’s take a look some names:

I know, I know; you’re laughing right now. That’s not much of a Navy is what you think. Well I hate to break the news to you but all told the Confederate States Navy had a total of 218 Vessels! You stopped laughing now, didn’t you. Well you’re in luck if you follow my blog. I served in the United States Navy and have a strong passion and love of vessels and the sea. This is one aspect of the Civil War I don’t think gets enough credit or is talked about much. That’s about to change. Southern Sentinel will be taking on a massive project, I plan on giving the history of as many of those vessels as I can. Trust me you won’t be disappointed, I have already begun culling the history and data and have a great number of ships/vessels history already.

I plan on promoting and or posting about two ships a week. Obviously with this many vessels and ships this project will go and or take a little over two years to cover. However I believe you will enjoy it and walk away with a greater and better understanding not only about the war but the more than overlooked battles dedicated men fought in on the high seas. And perhaps when this project is done you to may have a love for ships, vessels, and the sea.

Navy Motto:

Semper Fortis

Always Courageous

Fort Lancaster on the Confederacy’s Western Frontier

Ruins of Historic Fort Lancaster in West Texas

Of all the places that comprised the Confederate States of America from 1861–1865, few were as remote as Fort Lancaster, on the high, arid plains of west Texas.

Established in 1855, Fort Lancaster was one in a series of forts erected along the western Texas frontier. It was located on 82 acres in the Pecos River Valley of Crocket County, 33 miles west of the small county seat town of Ozona. The fort’s purpose was to guard the mail, supplies, and immigrants moving along the lower San Antonio–El Paso Road.

Fort Lancaster housed approximately 150 men and 3 officers. In 1856 a United States Army Inspector visited the fort and found that the soldiers were so untrained, he didn’t want them to demonstrate rifle firing. He also discovered 76 prisoners in the guardhouse, 15 of them there for drunkenness. The Inspector reported, “they desire nothing better than to get drunk and lay in the guardhouse.” The problem stemmed partly because of lack of officers and also poor conditions at the fort. The men were living in what was called “hackadales,” portable frames covered with canvas. The living quarters were soon improved.

The fort saw little action, but in 1857, a wagon train was ambushed by Indians about 25 miles away. The soldiers were able defeat the Indians, with the loss of only one sergeant.

Fort Lancaster was surrendered to the Texans in 1861, at the beginning of the War Between the States. The fort became a part of the Confederate far western frontier line. It played a role in protecting the supply line from Arizona in the New Mexico Campaign of 1861-62. The campaign was intended to make the Confederacy a nation which would have stretched from the Atlantic to the Pacific.

Confederate “Minute Men” from the 2nd Texas Calvary occupied this lonely post. The fort was inspected by Confederate General Henry Hopkins Sibley in the fall of 1861. Regular patrols guarded supply trains and checked Indian activities. When things became dull, the troops entertained themselves by putting out a camp newspaper and spiced things up with the nightly sport of shooting pesky coyotes.

The fort was abandoned in 1867, only to be reactivated briefly as a sub-post during the Kiowa-Comanche troubles of 1871. Today Fort Lancaster is a State Historical Site, operated by the Texas Historical Commission. A handful of graves on the property contain the remains of those who died at this remote, windswept outpost. One of them was a Confederate soldier, Private J. H. Norris, whose tombstone is a silent reminder of the War for Southern Independence.

The lonely grave of Confederate Private J. H. Norris, Fort Lancaster, Texas. He stands vigil to this day, a Silent Sentinel watching over The Republic of Texas' last frontier!

Stand Fast Private Norris. You are not forgotten. I swear as a Southern Gentleman and Texan, I will make it to you to tend your final resting place.

BONNIE BLUE FLAG

Being a Southern, Texan, and Irish Man I would be remiss if I didn’t put this great song up.

Johnny Reb

I heard this song as a little boy growing up and many, many more great songs from this man, Johnny Horton. I’d like to share it with you.

TO ARMS IN DIXIE

I found this version of Dixie while surfing the net. I must say that it sent chills down my spine, made my eyes mist up, a lump was in my throat, and my chest swelled with pride. It truly speaks/spoke to me what being a Southern is and why we had to defend ourselves. This is one the Best song’s we Southern’s own.

This version is attributed to General Albert Pike, CSA

When Johnny Comes Marching Home

This is a warning:

This isn’t your Granddaddy’s version. It’s the same great song but it’s been put on steroids. You should check your volume before playing this one, if it’s turned way up it might be a good time to bring it down a notch or two. Immediately after pressing play you might wish to grab hold of your desk with both hands, you are about to be blown away; and or ROCKED & ROLLED!

ENJOY!

Played by

Ultima Thule

Why The War For Southern Independence Was Not Over Slavery

DAMN YANKEES!